METH LAB IN NOBLE COUNTY: Police arrest two men near Rome City

April 2, 2012

ROME CITY â€” An alert off-duty police officer jogging near Rome City called for backup Sunday when he smelled chemicals coming from a home. As a result of his actions, two Noble County men are in custody today, charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, according to area news reports.
According to police, Chris Moriarity, an off-duty police officer, called a fellow sheriff's deputy when he smelled chemicals coming from a home near Rome City.
The officers investigated and discovered Justin Handshoe, 24, of Albion with a one-pot meth lab in the upstairs of the home. According to the report, Handshoe threw the materials out the window, which later exploded and caught fire in the yard. Handshoe also allegedly fought with the officers before being taken into custody.
Police also arrested the home's owner, Mark Heine, 36.
State police were called in to help with the investigation.